Fish Oil Takedown

I don't always agree with everything Fanatic Cook says, but her series of fish oil is worth reading.

• Fish oil isn't like fish
• Increased stroke risk from fish oil
• Increased risk of colitis from fish oil

My view on fish oil is: it's not as good as eating fish, it is often from suspect sources, and who knows what's really in it?

I used to take it, thinking it would cancel out the effects of excessive omega-6 in my diet. But my rule these days is "you can't eat a bunch of peanut butter and expect to cancel it out with fish oil." The modern Inuit are a good example of this. They get plenty of omega-3, but still suffer from obesity and diabetes.

Want to balance your fatty acids? Don't eat oil, do eat fresh oily fish. There are so many tasty fish out there that there is no reason to take fish oil.

My other rule: if you don't want to taste it, don't put it in your mouth. Our tastebuds evolved for a reason- to protect us from poisonous foods and to encourage us to nourish ourselves. Don't bypass them. If you take cod liver oil, buy the unflavored stuff. Your mouth will tell you when you've had enough :)